Wales’ Rapid Diagnosis Centres are an exciting development with the potential to radically reduce time to cancer diagnosis.
Based on a model developed in Denmark, rapid diagnosis centres (RDCs) seek to address the unmet needs of patients who do not meet referral criteria to an urgent suspected cancer pathway, because of the absence of clear ‘red flag’ symptoms. RDCs empower GPs to act on their clinical intuition—referring adults with vague but concerning symptoms that could potentially indicate cancer.
The first pilot RDC in Wales was launched in June 2017 at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, under Swansea Bay University Health Board. The pilot demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the time to diagnosis: from around 84 days to approximately 7 days when the diagnosis was made at the RDC, and around 41 days when further investigations were required. Crucially, the model was also shown to be cost-effective.
In addition to cancer, other serious and life-altering conditions can also be identified more quickly through this pathway. Early diagnosis—whether the result is positive or negative—significantly reduces anxiety and improves patient experience.
As of August 2024, every health board in Wales operates at least one RDC, with the exception of Powys Teaching Health Board.